Period correct scopes

[Rick Davis]

What's the concensus on period-correct scopes? To scope or not to scope?

Green Mountain has an interesting offering:

Link to Green Mountain article

 

[faw3]

Ya I put that up when they first came out and GMWW put something up a week or two back about the Malcom scope. You can do a fast search on here for it, its made by the company that makes the ART scope so it's good, and I like the rear mount, what or when it would of been around?? pull the brass part out of the front and put poor glass in it and you got a buffalo scope that few got used, not a bad scope at all but not pc. Fred :hatsoff:

 

[Zonie]

Just going by what I've read over the past years, I don't think I've seen a picture of a original scope mounted rifle from before the 1860s.
I believe long range target shooting with elongated bullets didn't become popular before the 1840s which may explain why the older guns didn't have telescopic sights. They weren't needed for shooting roundballs at the range they are usually shot at.

Just my thoughts at the moment.
zonie

 

[Jumpshot]

A certain someone on another website has one of those on his Hawken, says its just as traditional as the rifle its mounted on. Traditioinal style on the outside but all modern on the inside. Adjustable eyepiece, modern optics, nitrogen purged/fog proof.

 

[ss1]

Is that a T/C trigger and cap lock? With reduced loads, proberly shoot patched round ball real good. Sure is purdy. This could be what keeps ML alive. Wonder if it comes in flintlock?? :grin: PC correct to when they called FIRE ," ouch, ouch, hot thing."

 

[tg]

I suspect that the 1850-1860 period is about as far back as one can realy use an optical scope with out quite a story to go with it as rfar as historicaly correct is concerned.

 

[Mad Professor]

I'd like to look through one first.

Small objective lens means it won't gather much light so early morning/late evening hunting might be compromised. Another thing to consider is eye relief, how close to the optimim do you need to be to see through the scope. If not a stand hunter, will this work when stalking, besides the above concerns might hook up with a lot of brush.

I'm sure it would help with target shooting and load development. If anyone purchases/tests one I'd be interested to know how it compares to open sights and current optics used for CF rifles.

 

[rabjr]

http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/199497/

 

[Rick Davis]

...I don't think I've seen a picture of a original scope mounted rifle from before the 1860s....
zonie

How's this?
[url] http://members.tripod.com/~ProlificPains/wpns.htm[/url]

 

[Zonie]

PA Rifleman: Thanks.
Quoting from the link, I guess the question of Period Correctness is answered when it says:
"...In 1848 Morgan James of Utica, N.Y. invented the long-tube telescopic sight..."

It could not be correct for re-enacting prior to 1848. :grin:

zonie

 

[tg]

"It could not be correct for re-enacting prior to 1848.'

Even after that for quite a while it would not likely a scope was used on just any ol' gun so to speak.

 

[Gary]

Scopes were a rarity. If you show up at a Rendezvous, you'll be an oddball. I wouldn't. However, if your eyes are failing and you enjoy target shooting, then go ahead. You're there for fun, not historical accuracy at a range. BTW, scopes were known to be put onto rifles as early as the 18th Century.

 

[Stophel]

Years ago, when I was a mere lad, I got to see and handle a percussion full stock small-bore rifle with a long brass tube scope mounted upon it. I'd say it was 1860's-1870's. The stock was as green as a pea...likely stained with chromium trioxide...

 

[tg]

" BTW, scopes were known to be put onto rifles as early as the 18th Century."

perhaps these were non-optical magnifying type on the early guns....if the scope was invented in 1848, as stated it is for fun but as to being HC fact is fact and it is interesting to know as much as we can about such things for those who try to follow history closely.